St Cuileáin's bell shrine

Irish, 7th or 8th (iron bell) and early 12th
centuries AD
From Glankeen, County Tipperary, Ireland

A powerful lie detector

This magnificent bell-shrine is said to have been recovered from
a tree at Kilcuilawn, and has survived rough treatment. The ancient
iron hand bell inside was first used to call members of a monastic
community to prayer. It comes from the ancient monastery of
Glankeen founded by St Cuileáin in the seventh century. St Cuileáin
was a powerful figure, the brother of Cormac, king-bishop of the
rocky stronghold of Cashel nearby. It was venerated and later
enshrined as a relic associated with him.

The iron bell is now incomplete. The elaborate outer brass case
was added in the twelfth century. The case was cast in sections,
some of which are missing. The front is now bare iron but once
carried a jewelled crucifix. The back retains a brass plate
engraved with a large cross. The elaborate open-work crest at the
top is inlaid with copper and silver wires and further embellished
with black niello and enamel. The intricate interlacing ornament is
an Irish version of the Viking Ringerike style. It includes a
typical looped knot on the front and a huge animal’s head on each
shoulder.

The early medieval custom of enshrining the belongings of the
founders of churches and monasteries came to a second peak in
Ireland under royal patronage in the twelfth century. As well as
bells, items including staffs (such as the ‘Kells crozier’ also in
the British Museum), holy books, clothing, bones and teeth were
cherished by later generations. Up to the nineteenth century the
hereditary keepers of this bell, the Béarnan Cuileáin, used its
power to detect false oaths; liars risked their heads being
reversed.